Surface Prognostic Charts

Sample Chart

Surface Prognostic Charts are historical surface prognostic (forecast) charts created by the United States Weather Bureau. They include fronts, isobars, cloud, and precipitation areas. There are two separate charts: one is a four-panel 12- and 24-hour, in which the upper two panels are devoted to low-level significant weather; the other, a two-panel 36- and 48-hour with discussion. The discussion is limited to about 260 abbreviated words. Because of the space limitation, it may contain different kinds of information on one example of the chart than on another; but the following information is always included: a. Date/time of the initial data, b. Extent of numerical guidance available, c. Each weather system with significant developments, d. The "how" and "why" of any modification of numerical guidance, e. Revisions of previous forecasts, if needed, f. Clarification of any abrupt changes in continuity. The discussion was written and signed by the forecaster who made the forecast. 12 and 24-hour surface prognoses (0600z and 1800z initial data) were prepared in conjunction with the 30-hour surface forecast and had a four-panel format, in which the upper two panels were devoted to low-level significant weather. The 12 and 24-hour charts were prepared 4 times daily from 00z, 06z, 12z, and 18z initial data. The 36 and 48-hour prognoses with forecast discussions were prepared twice daily from 00z and 12z initial data. These charts cover the conterminous United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico and have a scale of 1:26.7 million. Charts were produced between 1947 and 1966.

DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Platform keywords

Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords

Fixed Observation Stations

WEATHER STATIONS

Place keywords

Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords

Continent > North America > United States Of America

Stratum keywords

Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords

Vertical Location > Land Surface

Use Constraints

Cite this dataset when used as a source.

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Fees

In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free, however fees may apply for data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: dataset

Lineage Statement

Charts were created by forecasters from the United States Weather Bureau.

Processor

DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Lineage information for: repository

Processing Steps

2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.